Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Arkansas Right to Life Asks Me to Join

I'm tired of playing political games on abortion.***********************************

Dear Arkansas Right to Life,

I regret that I cannot in good conscience accept your invitation to update my membership in ARTL. The fault is not your own, but rather because you are a subsidiary of a national organization that I believe has lost its way. Enclosed is the position paper on abortion of former Senator Fred Thompson during his last run for public office. Senator Thompson has been endorsed for President by your national organization and many of your subsidiaries in important early-primary states.

Is there anyone in your organization that can explain to us how Thompson’s positions qualify as “pro-life”? You will note from his position papers that he does not even wish to end federal funding for abortions, but only limit the circumstances under which I will be taxed to pay for these barbaric procedures. You will also read that he does not wish to “criminalize” abortion during the first trimester. If ripping innocent babies apart should not be “criminalized” then what act ought to be? I know you agree, but it seems that your parent organization does not share our view.

I fear that they have lost their way and have been co-opted by the GOP establishment in Washington D.C. There is simply no excuse for their all-out support for Thompson when Mike Huckabee and especially Ron Paul are in the race. Both of those men have consistent pro-life records and both have out-polled Thompson in the actual voting so far. Mr. Huckabee has always been willing to support symbolic acts for the cause of life, such as “choose life” license plates, and Dr. Paul has always supported substantive acts for the cause of life, such as his legislation removing the federal judiciary’s authority to rule against state laws banning abortion. Either of these men would be an acceptable choice for an organization whose purported goal is to end abortion, Thompson would not be. He is the candidate of the status quo.

Based on their actions both in the Presidential race and on other occasions, it is clear to keen observers that “National Right to Life” is no longer an honest name for this organization. Until they return to their stated mission, I cannot in good conscience join them or their subsidiaries, thereby lending my good name to a dishonest one. Instead, I will join one of the other pro-life groups that are currently emerging as a result of the void left when it became clear that National Right to Life has abandoned its stated mission.

Should you choose to disassociate from the National Organization as the Colorado folks did, I will of course be happy to join with you again in the cause of life.